Patent Picks—Pumice Capillary Treatment, Protein-fixing Agents and More for Hair

By: Rachel L. Grabenhofer

Posted: May 2, 2012

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Protein-fixing compositions and methods for treating keratin based fibers
WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/051629
Publication date: April 19, 2012
Assignee: Maneworx Inc., J Humphreys and J Sherman

Described in this patent are compositions, formulations, kits and methods for temporarily or semi-permanently transforming the shape of individual hair filaments or keratinous fibers by applying no heat or heat below about 300°F to prevent damage to the keratinous fibers. The disclosed composition comprises, in a cosmetically suitable carrier, 1.0–45% w/w of at least one protein-fixing agent selected from: 2-propanone, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, butanone, ethanol, t-butanol and n-butanol; in addition to a quaternary ammonium salt such as quaternium-80 and a polymerizable monomer. The example embodiments do not coat the hair with film, thereby achieving a weightless feeling on hair. They can render hair smoother, shinier, softer and more manageable, and minimize static charge, tangling and scattering of the hair, such that the hair becomes smooth and straight after application. Further, the compositions and processes disclosed avoid the deleterious actions caused by conventional high heat treatments or highly alkaline lanthionization chemical hair relaxer processes.

Pumice capillary composition for treating hair
US Patent Application 20120093900
Publication date: April 19, 2012
Assignee: L'Oréal

This invention relates to a capillary composition comprising at least particles of pumice, at least one silicon-containing quaternary ammonium group, and at least one non-siliconized polymer. The composition cares for the keratin fiber homogeneously without impairing it by unifying the deposition of the treatment agents. Further, excellent smoothing of keratin fibers and controlled volume of the hairstyle are obtained. These effects are more noteworthy when the hair is sensitized and/or thick, and the effects are long-lasting and especially withstand shampoo washing.

According to the inventors, the composition may free hair of any deposits before abrasion, making the edges of the scales of the cuticle made more regular, which allows for increased efficacy of the silicone-containing quaternary ammonium groups. Furthermore, after-treatment products intended for reinforcing certain properties of hair can penetrate more easily and deeply into the hair.